Dataset Information

Functional social support and cognitive function in middle- and older-aged adults: a systematic review of cross-sectional and cohort studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Intact cognitive function is crucial for healthy aging. Functional social support is thought to protect against cognitive decline. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the association between functional social support and cognitive function in middle- and older-aged adults.

Methods

Articles were obtained from PubMed, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, CINAHL, and Scopus. Eligible articles considered any form of functional social support and cognitive outcome. We narratively synthesized extracted data by following the Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) guidelines and assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Results

Eighty-five articles with mostly low risk-of-bias were included in the review. In general, functional social support-particularly overall and emotional support-was associated with higher cognitive function in middle- and older-aged adults. However, these associations were not all statistically significant. Substantial heterogeneity existed in the types of exposures and outcomes evaluated in the articles, as well as in the specific tools used to measure exposures and outcomes.

Conclusions

Our review highlights the role of functional social support in the preservation of healthy cognition in aging populations. This finding underscores the importance of maintaining substantive social connections in middle and later life.

Systematic review registration

Rutter EC, Tyas SL, Maxwell CJ, Law J, O'Connell ME, Konnert CA, Oremus M. Association between functional social support and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults: a protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open;10(4):e037301. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037301.

SUBMITTER: Mogic L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10200705 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Functional social support and cognitive function in middle- and older-aged adults: a systematic review of cross-sectional and cohort studies.

Mogic Lana L Rutter Emily C EC Tyas Suzanne L SL Maxwell Colleen J CJ O'Connell Megan E ME Oremus Mark M

Systematic reviews 20230522 1

<h4>Background</h4>Intact cognitive function is crucial for healthy aging. Functional social support is thought to protect against cognitive decline. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the association between functional social support and cognitive function in middle- and older-aged adults.<h4>Methods</h4>Articles were obtained from PubMed, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, CINAHL, and Scopus. Eligible articles considered any form of functional social support and cognitive outcome. ...[more]

PMID: 37211612

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Project description:IntroductionMaintenance of cognitive function into old age is important for ageing populations. Researchers seek to identify modifiable risk and protective factors for cognitive function. One such modifiable factor is functional social support, that is, one's perception of whether their social network can provide resources such as material help, companionship, information and emotional contact, if needed. While the literature generally reports positive associations between functional social support and cognitive function, results vary according to study methods such as the tool used to measure functional social support or the specific cognitive domain under investigation. Our review will summarise the association between functional social support and cognitive function in middle-aged and older-aged adults who reside in any setting (eg, community dwelling, long-term care facilities). We will also identify sources of discrepant findings between studies.Methods and analysisThis protocol was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols guideline. PubMed, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Scopus will be searched from inception to the present using a search strategy developed with a medical librarian's help. We will supplement the database searches with a grey literature search. English-language or French-language studies with a comparison group will be subject to inclusion, regardless of the measures used to assess functional social support or cognitive function. We will assess risk of bias with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool-Version 2 or the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, narratively synthesise the extracted data and conduct a meta-analysis of studies with similar characteristics (eg, sample age and sex, cognitive function outcomes). Two independent raters will screen articles and assess risk of bias.Ethics and disseminationThis review is timely given the push toward early diagnosis and treatment of dementia/major neurocognitive disorder and other types of cognitive impairment. This protocol does not require a formal ethics review. We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal.

Project description:BackgroundPrevious studies have predominantly focused on smartphone overdependence among adolescents and young adults. However, as smartphone usage has recently surged among South Korean middle-aged and older adults, the risk of smartphone overdependence cannot be overlooked among this population. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the smartphone usage pattern and the associated risk of overdependence in this specific age group.MethodsThe data for individuals who aged 50 or older were extracted from the dataset of a nationwide survey, "The Survey on Smartphone Overdependence, 2021," and the usage of each type of smartphone content and risk of smartphone overdependence among individuals in their 50 s and 60 s were investigated. Age-group-based differences in demographic characteristics, Smartphone Overdependence Scale scores, self-awareness of smartphone overdependence, digital literacy, and psychosocial factors were analyzed. Additionally, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors associated with the potential-to-high risk of smartphone overdependence in both age groups.ResultsIndividuals in their 50s had significantly higher digital literacy, social relations, life satisfaction, and smartphone overdependence scores than those in their 60s, and the percentage of individuals in the high-risk group was also higher in the 50s age group. For both age groups, the most used content was "messenger," "news," and "movies/TV/videos," whereas the least used content was e-learning, gambling, and adult content. The multivariable analysis indicated that, for individuals in their 50s, having a lower educational level was associated with significantly higher odds, whereas having a job and utilizing e-commerce-related contents on smartphone were associated with significantly lower odds of potential-to-high risk for smartphone overdependence. Concerning individuals in their 60s, having a lower educational level and using adult content or gambling were significantly associated with higher odds of potential-to-high risk for smartphone overdependence.ConclusionThis study reveals the risk of smartphone overdependence among middle-aged and older adults in South Korea as well as the associated risk factors. This will assist policymakers in developing policies for the appropriate use of smartphones by these age groups.

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Dataset Information

Functional social support and cognitive function in middle- and older-aged adults: a systematic review of cross-sectional and cohort studies.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Systematic review registration

Publications

Functional social support and cognitive function in middle- and older-aged adults: a systematic review of cross-sectional and cohort studies.

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